Date of Award

Spring 5-2023

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

School

Social Science and Global Studies

Committee Chair

Dr. Joseph Weinberg

Committee Chair School

Social Science and Global Studies

Committee Member 2

Dr. Iliyan Iliev

Committee Member 2 School

Social Science and Global Studies

Committee Member 3

Dr. Marek Steedman

Committee Member 3 School

Social Science and Global Studies

Abstract

The 2020 Global Peace Index found that there has been a drastic increase of civil unrest incidents worldwide since 2011. According to the Index, there were 282% more riot cases and 821% more general strikes across the world, with Europe having the most riots, protests, and strikes. Extant literature suggests that protest is a web of interconnected demands that sends a weak signal to policymakers or the intended target. I examine some of the drivers of protest that are likely to impact the chances of protesters demands being met either in part or in full. I further analyze how each of those variables produce the same or similar outcomes in Africa and across the world in general. Using the Global Protest Tracker dataset, I hand code nine variables of 435 individual protest incidents from 132 countries. Using the probit regression model to analyze the data, I find that the duration of protest is significant in determining the success or failure of protesters demands being met both in Africa and the world at large. Other variables, such as violent government response or corruption motivated, protest is significant in determining the outcome of protests in Africa and the world at large. A rather unexpected finding of my study is that the number of participants during a protest insignificantly affects the outcome of the protest.

ORCID ID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5180-8013

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